Window regulator



Aug. l, 1939. J. H. ROETHEL WINDOW REGULATOR Filedl Aug. 27, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l ,A321

,Patented Aug. 1,' 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE WINDOW REGULATOR 1 John H. Roethel, Den-oit, Mich., assigner to Mari vel Equipment Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application August 27, 1932, Serial No. 227,219

1o Claims. (Cl. 268-126) y This invention relates to window regulators for lines 4--4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the raising and lowering the window glass panels of arrows.

window structures, the invention being particu- Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken substanlarly adapted for application to -windows of vari` tially through lines 5-5 of Fig. 1 looking in the i 5 ous types of vehicles especially motor vehicles or direction of the arrows, this view illustrating the 5 automobiles. method of assembly of the regulator arm with the An object of the invention is to provide an imbracket at thelower edge of the glass. proved Window regulator, preferably of the in- Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tersecting4 cross arm type, in which the two `window regulator shown in Fig. 1. 10 crossed arms of the regulator, which are connect- Fig. 7 is an enlarged section taken substantial- '10 ed to the lower edge of the window glass, may be 1y through lines 1-1 of Fig. 6 looking in the diswingingly driven at a point remote from the rection of the arrows.

arms to provide a relatively remote handle loca- Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken substantially tion without the necessity of interposed gearing, through lines 8--8 of Fig. 1 looking in the directhis being accomplished by means of a third tion of the arrows. 'l5 swinging arm connected to one of the two inter- Fig. 9 is an enlarged section taken substantially connected regulator arms. through lines 9 9 of Fig. 1 looking in the direc- A further object ofthe invention is to provide -tion of the arrows. an improved window regulator of the type having Before explaining in detail the present invena pair of pivotally connected crossed arms adapttion it is to be understood that the invention is gl) ed to b e connected at their corresponding outer not limited in its application to the details of ends to the lower edge of a window panel and at construction and arrangement of parts illustrattheir opposite corresponding ends to supported in the accompanying drawings, since the in- Y ing means, such as the inner door or body panel, vention is capable of other embodiments and of and in which driving means is provided for being practiced or carried out in various ways.

swinging the crossed arms in unison to raise and Also it is to be understood that the phraseology lower the window panel, such driving means beo1` terminology employed herein is for the purpose ing in the form of a'third swinging arm mount. of description and not limitation, and it is not ed at one of its ends at a point laterally spaced intended to limit the invention claimed herein from the crossed arms and having a connection beyond the requirements of the prior art. 30 adjacent its opposite outer end portion to the In the drawings there are illustrated certain outer end portion of that one of the crossed arms embodiments of the invention applied, by way of which is nearer to the third driving arm than example, to a front and a rear automobile door. the outer end of the other crossed arm, the con- It will be understood, however, that the embodistruction being such `that the outer end of the ments herein exemplified in part or in whole may 35' third arm is movable through an arc whose-cenbe utilized in other relations and in other structer lies at all times outside the area traversed by tures, and' in particular that the window reguthe cross arm to which the third driving arm is lator mechanism may be employed, for raising 'connected and lowering window glass panels generallylin 40 Other objects of this invention will appear in vehicle bodies or the like. `40 the following description and appended claims, In Fig. 1 there is illustrated an automobile door reference being had tothe accompanying draw- D which may be a front door including a front ings forming a part of this specification wherein sloping pillar A and a rear upright pillar B roundlike reference characters designate corresponded or sloping contour at the upper end thereof.

ing parts in the several views. The upperportion of the door is provided with a 45 Fig. 1 isan inner fragmentary side elevation, main window opening adapted to. be closed by partly broken away and partly in section, of an means of a vertically slidable glass or other transautomobile door, such as a front door, embodyparent panel I2 and a laterally-swinging glass or ing the invention. other transparent panel I3. In the present in- Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the regulator mechstance the panel I3, which is of` so-called wingA 50 anism shownin Fig. 1. type, is disposed at the forward part of the win- Fig. 3 is an' enlarged detail view of the connecdow opening and the panels I2 and I3 are preftion between' the upper end of one of the cross d erably arranged so that when in fully closed poarms and the lower edge of the window glass. sitions` they extend in the same for in substanav Fig. (is a sectiontaken substantially through {gialli-parallel planes and cooperate together to 55 Secured to the forward upright edge of the sliding glass I2 is a channel bar I4 which at its inner -side has a forwardly projecting lip. or overlap flange I4a against which the rear edge of the -wing seats when the window is fully closed.

' Secured to the lower edge of the glass panel I2 is a channel bar or glass retainer member I5 which carries intermediate itsends a depending horizontal guide or bracket member I8 to which the outer end of one of the regulator arms is slidingly connected. 'I'he glass retainer-member I5 which usually comprises a lined channel embracing the lower edge of the glass I 2 `(see Fig. 4) carries at its rear end a compression guide device indicated generally by the numeral I1 which is mounted uponl an angle bracket I8 iixed, as by spot welding, to the bottom of the channel member I5. In the present instance the guide bracket I6 comprises an angle secured, as by spot welding, to the bottom of the channel I5 (see Fig. 5). The depending wall or flange of this guide bracket is formed with a. longitudinal horizontal guide slot 20, the edges I9 of which are turned out or rolled. e

The forward end of the channel or retainer member I5 carries a generally triangularly shaped bracket 25, the upper out-turned flange of which is secured, as by spot welding, to the bottom of the channel I5 (see Fig. 4). The depending wall or flange of the bracket 25 is formed with a relatively short longitudinal guide slot 2I, the edges of which are out-turned or rolled at 22 as in the case of the guideway 20. The vertical wall of the bracket 25 also has a second slot 2Ia corresponding substantially to the slot 2I which may be provided, if desired, to permit one of the cross arms to be connected to the bracket 25 in the slot'l 2Ia instead of -the slot 2I, as hereinafter explained. Beneath the slot 2Ia is an enlarged elongated opening 23 which may be provided for the purpose of permitting the workman to insert the ngers therethrough so as to facilitate assembly of the regulator arm in the slot 2 Ia.

The bracket 25 carries at its forward vertical -flanged edge a pair of vertically spaced compres- Vsecured to the glass I2 and has a depending extension I4b fastened to the forward vertical edge of the bracket 25. It will be understood that the invention is equally applicable where the window is guided otherwise than herein shown. For example, it is equally applicable where the bar I4 is fixed within the window opening and forms a guide for the panel I2, and is also applicable where a single glass panel forms the entire closure for the window opening. It `will also be understood that the term .glass is used herein in a generic sense and -Isintended to comprehend any panel regardless vof the material movable up and down to close a window opening.

The window, regulator mechanism includes a pair of intersecting orI cross' arms 28 and 29. rI he outer end of the arm 28, seeFig. 5, is provided preferably with a projecting stud 3l having .22 of the slots 28 or 2I.

its reduced end passing through the end of th arm and riveted thereto. The stud 30 carries between the shoulder 30a thereof and the adjacent f ace of the arm 28 a concave spring washer 3|, this washer being mounted on the reduced end of the stud and being clamped between the shoulder 30a and the arm 28. I-.oosely mounted upon the enlarged head portion of the stud 3l isa fiat washer 32 which extends across the guide slot 20 and slidingly engages the face of the vertical flange of the bracket I6. 'I'he outer end of the stud 30 has an annular groove 38h with a `hole 33 extending transversely therethrough.

that in each instance (see Figs. 4 and 5) the enlarged cylindrical portion of each stud 30 has a sliding t against the curled or rolled edges I9 or After the stud 30 is passed through the guide slot 20 or 2I -a flat washer 320 is placed over the end of the stud, as shown in Fig. 4, and the spring washer 3I compressed suillciently topermit a cotter pin 33v to be applied to the stud. This pin preferably has a straight shank passing through the hole33 and a spring shank with a grooved portion adapted to fit into the annular groove 30h, the latter portion of the cotter pin being sprung or tensioned in order to clamp it upon the end of the stud, as shown in Fig. 3.

'I'he arm 29 intermediate its ends has a widened or enlarged portion 34 formed with an arcuate slot 35. 'Ihe arm 28 is pivoted through the medium of a stud 36 to the portion 34 at the center of curvature of the slot 35 and is formed with an offset 31 extending through the slot35, thereby positioning the inner end portion of the arm 28 at one. face of the arm 29 and the outer portion thereof at the opposite face. The offset 31 may be formed on a radius so as to have xa transverse curvature corresponding to or approximating to curvature-of the slot 35. When the arms swing in raising and lowering the window glass the oifset 31 will travel within the slot 35, this slot being preferably of sumcient length to prevent engagement of the offset with either end of the slot in the extreme positions of the arms during-normal operation so as to prevent chatter or vibratory noises when the regulator is idle in either of its extreme operating positions, .4

these positions being shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 1. The outer end of the arm 28 is 'offset so as to aline the stud 30 thereon with the stud 30 at the outer end of the arm 28, see Fig. 2. 'I'he inner or lower end of the arm 28 lator) is offset Ainwardly at 28a to provide both a Amounting for the counterbalancing spring and also to bring the arminto position for securement l. to the mounting panel orv plate for the cross arms.

correspondingly the inner or lower end of the arm 29 is offset at 29h so that it may also be connected to the mounting panel. y

. In the present instance the pivot stud 38 has a reduced end extending through a hole in the (considered in the fully raised position of the regufor the portion 28e of the arm 28. The enlarged v cylindrical end of the pivot stud 36 is provided spring tothe arm 28.

,. third arm lt1. This letteraria In .the embodiment of Fig. '1 vthe swinging arml 28 is pivoted at its inner or lower end to swing 'about a set pivotal axis. In the present instance,

to permit interchangeability of the cross arm unit as hereinafter explained, the arm 28 has in eifect an extension 28h and adjacent this end ofthe arm the latter is provided with a hole 40 for the reception of a headed bolt 38`, the reduced shank ofthe bolt 39a having threads formed thereon. The threaded shank 39a of this bolt passes through an angular or arcuate adjusting slot 4| formed in the at face of an embossment '42 pressed out of the inner door or mounting panel for the window regulator. The panel 43 may be any suitable type of xed support for the window regulator, in ordinary practice this comprising a` pressed metal sheet or panel extending across the inner side of the door or body and secured to the upright pillars or supports. bolt 39 may be secured in fixed position within the slot 4I by means of ya nut 44. By'loosening the nut the pivot stud or bolt 39 may be moved or adjusted within the slot whichpreferably has its center of curvature at the pivot stud 36. Hence, the set angular position of the arm 28 'may be varied with respect to the arm 29 and without changing the position of the latter simply `by adjusting the bolt 39 within the curved slot 4 I.

Thus, regardless of the extension 28h the length of the arm 28 is measured from the stud 39 or. hole 40 therefor, and in the present instance the cross arms are of equal lengths so as to slide the window glass in a true straight vertical direction. In the regulator of Fig. ll therefore, the extension 28h, which has a smaller hole 45 at the end thereof, is unused and may be cut oil' if desired.

The inner or lower end of the cross arm 29, viewed from the fully raised position of the Window regulator, is slidingly connected to the inner door or body panel 43, this construction being particularly illustrated in Fig. 9. VAs shown in this gure, there is riveted to the lower end of the arm 29 a stud 49 which carries an annular spring washed 50 clamped between the shoulder 49a of the stud` and the shank of the arm 29. Loosely mounted on the enlarged cylindrical end of the stud is a flat washer 5l. This end of the stud extends transversely through an elongated horizontal guide slot 41 formed in an embossed portion 46 of themetal panel 43, the guide slot terminating in an enlarged aperture '4B and the longitudinal parallel edges of the slot being curled or turned in at 41a to provide asliding nt for the cylindrical shank of the stud 49. The washer 5I engages across one face of the guide slot 41 and a washer 52 on the stud engages across the turnedin edges of the slot. The washer 52 is held on the stud by means of a cotter pin 53 and in the assembled position of Fig. 9the spring washer 50 is constantly under tension. The construction as shown in Fig. 9 is preferably substantially identical with that shown inFig; 4.l

y As illustrated in the embodiment of Fig. 1 thel swinging arm 29 of the window regulator isinvh'f -this instance driventhrough he medium of.`

ts outer end iv 'I'he pivot stud or an enlarged aperture or opening 58. Riveted to the outer end of the arm'29 at a point closely adjacent to the stud 30 is a headed stud 55, the shank of which extends through a hole 54 (Fig. 10) in the arm. The stud 55 extends through and has a sliding fit in the slot 56 and the head of the stud, as shown in Fig. 6, interlocks the stud in the slot against withdrawal during normal operation. Preferably spring anti-rattle washers (not shown) arel mounted on the shank of the stud to extend across opposite faces of the slot 56 to prevent, chattering or vibratory noises. The diameter of the aperture 58 is such as to permit the head of the stud 55 to be inserted through the aperture, upon installation o f the parts, to permit the shank of the stud to ride into the slot 56. The inner end of the driving arm 51 is' provided with two spaced apertures, one for the reception of a pivot stud or rivet 59 by which the arm is pivotally mounted. The other and smaller aperture receivesa rivet 60 by which the arm 51 is riveted to a gearsector 6l. The gear sector and arm are secured together by the studs 59 and 60 and are mounted to rotate about the axis of the stud 59 upon a pressed metal mounting plate 62 having screw bosses 63 by which the.

a pinion 64 on a handle shaft which includes a4 conventional friction clutch and a crank handle at the outer end thereof.

The regulator in the embodiment of Fig. 1 is preferably assembled with the window glass I2 when the latter is in its lowered position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The cross arm unit in this embodiment is installed upon the mounting panel 43, the stud 49 being installed in the guide slot 41 as above described and the lower end of the arm 28 being assembled by passing the bolt 39 throughthe hole 49 in the arm and the slot 4l in the mounting panel, the nut 44 at this time being loosely applied to the threaded shank 39a.

The mounting plate 62 is also mounted in posi- 'I'he regulator arms are then cranked down to the dotted line position of Fig. 1, the arms 28 and 29 being sprung out to the position shown in-Fig. 5'to permit the studs 30 to be transversely alined with the slots 29 and 2|. When so alined thearms are released and the studs 30, by virtue of the spring of the arms, pass through the guide slots 20 and'2l to the position of Fig.v4. The washers 320'and cotter pins 33 are then installed on the ends of the studs, thereby interlocking the parts together as shown in Fig. 4.

lThe window regulator of Fig. 1 is shown in connection with the front door of a typical coach or two-door type automobile body having a relatively wide window. Wherethis regulator is used.r for example, witha typical four-door sedan in which usually a narrower window opening is provided the glass retainer channel I5 is shortened' to correspond to the narrowcrwidth of the. glass panel l2 and the stud 30 on the arml 29 is connected ywithin the slot 21a. The opening 23 therebelow permits insertion of the ngers to facilitate installation of the washer 320 and vcotter'pin 33.

nonigtpe-foregoing it` will be seen til-1:. the

, m e used interchangeablyI with subwindows not only okonebut of difunit orparts including the aims 28 !erent types of automobile bodies without necessitating the manufacture of a diierent size cross arm assembly or unit for each different window. For example, the cross arm unit of Figs. 1 and 6, where. shown in connection with a right front door, may be interchangeably used without any reversal of the arms in the left rear door or rear window of the body. Moreover, all of the parts, without change, ofthe cross arm unit of Fig. 1

may be usedin the right hand' rear door or rear window simply by reversely assembling the arms 28 and 29.

In normal operation of the window regulator it will be understood that by turning the gear 6I to swing the arm 51 or by turning the gear 68 to swing the arm 28 the cross arms 28 and 29 will be swung downwardly from the full line positions of Figs. 1 and 10 to the dotted line positionoi Fig. 1 and the dotted line position X of Fig. 10, thereby lowering the Window glass, the arms passing each other during this operation. In the operation of the regulator of Fig. 1

Y it will be noted that the power is applied to the cross arm 29 at a point 55 which is fixed in the length of the arm and which is located closely adjacent to the stud 30. During the downward swinging movement of the arm 51 to its halfway or horizontal position the point 55 movingin the slot 56 approaches the pivot 59 of the gear 6|, and as a consequence there is produced a progressive increase in the power of the regulator at the upper limit of movement of the window glass. In like manner, there is a progressive increase in the lifting power of the regulator lnear the opposite limit of the window glass when the glass is raised from its dotted line position in Fig. 1.

It will be noted that the pivot 59 of the driving arm 51 is at a point laterally spaced from the crossedv arms 28 and 29 and the outer end oi' the arm 51 moves through an arc whose center lies at all times outside the area traversed by the connected cross arm 29. Hence, lt is possible to provide a desirable remote handle location and an eiective drive without affecting the cross arms and with the elimination of intervening spacer gears.

Installation of the cross arms with the window glass ismaterially simpliiied by virtue of the arrangement of the spring 38 connecting the arms together which tends to urge the arms and hold them in predetermined angular positions. Furthermore, by connecting the arms 28 and 29 together through the counterbalancing spring 38 a relatively lighter and less expensive spring' may be utilized than heretofore in window regulators of the two arm type, and easier operation of the window is achieved. Economies in production and in time and labor necessary for installation are possible by virtue of the improved construction and mounting of the counterbalancing spring and associated parts. It will also be seen that the sliding glass I2 or |28 is supported at two relatively widely spaced points 38 and that in operation of the window regulator the cross arms 28 and29 carry the window glass down-r wardly and upwards in substantially a straight line direction, thus avoiding any material tilting "9 1 travel of the window glass and-regulator. In-

stallatlon may be accomplished at the upper or lower limitof travel of the glass and of the regulator in simple and quick manner and hence it is not necessary, in accomplishing the installation, to shift either the glass or the arms be- A yond their normal range of travel as heretofore.

having a sliding connection in a longitudinal direction with the lower edge of a window glass. the inner end of the other crossed arm having a corresponding sliding connection with a support in the window well and its outer end having a connection with the lower edge of said glass, .and athird swinging arm for swinging said crossed arms in unison and adapted to pass between the crossed arms during the operation thereof, said third swinging arm being pivotally connected adjacent one end to said last named crossed arm at or near its outer end by'means movable longitudinally of the third arm during operation of the regulator, the sliding connection of the inner end of said crossed arm permitting bodily displacement of the pivot of the crossed arms away from the end of the third arm as the latter passes between the crossed arms. A

2. A window regulator comprising a pair of swinging crossed arms adapted to be connected at their outer corresponding ends to a window glass and pivotally connected together at the locality of their crossing to permit the arms to swing one past the other upon raising and lowering the window glass, the inner end of one crossed arm having a longitudinal substantially horizontal sliding connection with a support, a third swinging armv extending in crossed relation to said last named crossed arm and having its outer end pivotally connected to the outer end of said last named crossed arm at a point movable longitudinally of the third arm as thesaid inner end of said last named 'crossed arm slides longitudinally on its support during operation of the regulator.

3. A .window regulatogcomprising a pair of pivotally connected crossed arms adapted to be connected at their corresponding outer ends to the lower edge of a window panel and at their opposite corresponding ends to supporting means, and driving means for swinging said crossed arms to raise and lower the window panel. comprising a third arm mounted to have a swinging movement for operating said crossed arms in unison, said third arm being mounted at one of its yends at a point laterally spaced from the crossed arms and having a pin and slot connection adjacent its opposite outer end to the outer end of one of the crossed arms which is'nearer to said third arm than the outer end of the other crossed arm. the outer end of said thirdarm and the adjacent end of the connected cross arm being adapted to move downwardly and upwardly in unison, said outer end of-the third arm being movable through an arc whose center lies at all times outside the area traversed by said connected dross arm;

4. A window regulator comprising a pair of pivotally connected crossed arms adapted to be connected at their corresponding outer ends to the loweredge of a window -panel and at their opposite corresponding ends to supporting means, and driving means for swinging said crossed arms tn raise and lower the windowpanel including a third arm mounted to have a swinging movement for operating said crossed arms in unison, said third arm being mounted at one of its ends at a lpoint'laterally spaced from the crossed arms and having a pin and slot connection adjacent its opposite outer end to the outer end of one of the crossed arms which is nearer to said third arm than the outer end of the other crossed arm, the outer end of said third arm and the adjacent end of the connected cross arm being adapted to move downwardly and upwardly in unison and to overlap and pass in such move'- ments the adjacent inner end of the other crossed arm, said outer end of the third arm being adapted to move through an arc whose center lies at all times outside the area traversed by' said connected cross arm.

5. A window regulator comprising a pair of pivotally connected crossed arms adapted to be connected at their corresponding outer ends to the lower edge of a window panel and at their iopposite corresponding ends to supporting means,

and driving means for swinging said crossed arms to raise and lower the window panel including a -thirdarm mounted to have a swinging movement for operating said crossed arms in unison, said third arm being mounted at one of its ends at a point laterally spaced from the crossed arms and vhaving a connection adjacent its opposite outer arc whose center lies at all times outside the area j for operating said crossed arms in unison, said.

traversed by said connected cross arm. v

6. A window regulator comprising a pair of pivotallyconnected crossed arms adapted to be connected at their corresponding outer ends to the lower edge of a window panel and at their opposite corresponding ends to supporting means, and driving means for swinging said crossed arms to raise and lower the window panel comprising a third arm mounted to have a swinging movement third arm being mounted at one of its ends at a point laterally spaced from both of the crossed arms and having a sliding pivotal connection adjacent its opposite end to `the outer end of one of the crossed arms which is nearer tov said third arm than the .ou-ter end of the other crossed arm, said sliding pivotal connection between the third arm and'crossed arm comprising a device on one arm movable longitudinally of the other arm during operation of the regulator.' g

7. A window regulator comprising a pair of pivotally connected crossed arms adapted to be connected at their corresponding outer ends to the lower edge of a. window panel and at their opposite corresponding ends to supporting means,

and driving means for swinging said crossed arms to raise and lower the window panel comprising a third arm mounted to have a swinging move- -ment for operating said crossed arms in unison,

end of one of the crossed arms which is nearer t0 said third arm than the outer end of the other crossed arm, said sliding pivotal connection between the third 'arm and crossed arm comprisinga pin and slot connection.

8. A window regulator comprising a pair of swinging crossed arms adapted to be connected at their outer corresponding ends to a window panel and pivotally connected together at the locality of their crossing to permi-t the arms to swing one pastthe other upon raising and lowering the window panel, the inner end of one crossed arm having a longitudinal substantially horizontal sliding connection with a support, a

third. swinging arm extending in crossed rela-- tion to said last named crossed arm and having its outer end pivotally connected to the outer end of said last named crossed arm at a. point movable longitudinally of one of the arms as the said inner end of said last named crossed arm slides longitudinally on its support during operation of the regulator. s

9. A window regulator comprising a pair of swinging'crossed arms adapted to be connected at their outer corresponding ends to a window panel and pivotally connected together at the locality of their crossing to permit the arms to swing one past the other upon raising and lowering the window panel, the inner end of one crossed arm having a longitudinal substantially horizontal sliding connection with a support, a third swinging arm adapted to tbe pivotally mounted at one end to supporting means and having its opposite end pivotally connected to the outer end of said last named crossed arm, theadjacent outer connected ends of said third arm and crossed arm being adapted tovmove downwardly and upwardly in unisonsaid` pivotal mountingof the third arm lying at all times outside the area traversed by the said cross arm which is connected to the third arm.

10. Awindow regulator comprising a 'pair of swinging crossed'arms'adapted to be connected at their outer corresponding ends to a window panel and pivotally connected together at the locality of their crossing to permit the arms to swing one past the other upon raising and lowering -the'window panel, the inner end of one crossed arm having a longitudinal substantially horizontal sliding connection with a support and the outer end of the other crossed arm having a corresponding sliding connection with the window panel, and driving means for swinging said crossed arms to raise and lower the Window panel including a third arm mounted to have a swinging movement for operating said crossed arms in unison, said third arm being mounted at one of its ends at a point laterally spaced from the crossed arms and having a connection adjacent its opposite outer end portion to the outer end portion of one of the crossed arms which is nearer. to said third arm than the outer end of the other crossed ann, the outer end of said third arm and the adjacent end of the connected cross arm being adapted'to move downwardly and upwardly in unison, said outer end of the third arm being movable through an arc whose center lies at all times outside the area 'traversedby said connected cross arm.

JOHN H. ROETHEL. 

